Day Time Potty Accidents

Updated on April 03, 2008
C.M. asks from Olympia, WA
18 answers

My 7 year old still pees his pants. We had reduced the occurances to just some "leakage" but now that he has had some emotional troubles at school (again) and his father is working nights, it is almost out of control. He is taking cod liver oil for anxiety and other vitamens. I don't let him have high fructose sugar and we tried taking him off milk, but nothing seems to help except a panty liner in his underware. That helps at school but not at home. He is a trouper and is willing to try herbal rememdies. I'm thinking there may be an infection we need to take care of with the doctor. Any ideas?

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L.D.

answers from Portland on

This really sounds like anxiety. Remedies will work to an extent as they will serve as placebos to make him think his incontinence is being treated, but it sounds like he might really need some additional theraputic support.

My daughter suffered from anxiety (manifested as tummy aches and vomiting, not wetting). We didn't want to take her to a psychiatrist or use anxiety meds if there was another way. We used a Body Talk clinician to do some relaxation, body awareness and balancing work. Worked like a charm! We used Kristen Hope. She is in close-in NE Portland and very reasonable. L.

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J.M.

answers from Portland on

I would start with a medical doctor to rule out any physical problems and then I would find a counselor for him to talk to. I highly recommend the Morrison Center. They are on the east side of portland and in Gresham also. After my husband passed my kids needed a chance to talk and get the emotions out in a positive way. If he is having emotional problems, or problems at school they can help him resolve those problems. They have wonderful ideas on how to deal with bullies if that is his problem. Good Luck.

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J.W.

answers from Seattle on

Take your son to the doctor. If he is aware of what is happening and has no control or not enough time to get to the bathroom, this is problem the doctor should help with. A kidney or bladder infection is likely, but you won't know until you have him checked. There is help for adults who have this problem, and maybe it applicable for children, again, see your doctor. It't not pleasant for him, it will restrict his options for play, i.e. play dates at a friend's house or field trips. Best of luck!!

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J.N.

answers from Anchorage on

Go to the doctor -- wouldn't you rather rule out a medical issue, rather than drag it out and then find out later that it isn't anything you can control with herbal remedies? It could save a lot of embarrasment and further emotional issues in the future.

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R.O.

answers from Eugene on

Dear Cindy: If you haven't taken him to a doctor, do that right away! It is not good psycologically for them to have these issues at this age, without knowing why. There are many reasons from small bladder, to tramatic shock! Whatever it is, for his benefit, get to the bottom of this.
I had a friend, her son would just get so focused in what he was doing, he didn't even realize it, that required some one on one constant reminding, after 2 months, he was reconditioned, and no more problems! Good Luck, R.

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D.T.

answers from Portland on

If he was 4 or 5 still having an occaisional accident I wouldn't worry. Even at 7 having an accident once in a great while wouldn't worry me. But if I was you I would take him to the doctor just to be careful. Even if there is no infection or anything the doctor maybe able to give you some other ideas to help your son.

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K.H.

answers from Spokane on

Some children have an immature bladder or other issues that cause accidents. Some boys are still having problems much later than your son. Taking him off milk doesn't seem very effictive since there is milk products in so many things.

You didn't say how active he is, that may be just a matter of being preoccupied or afraid to go at times.
Remember that boys are more immature than girls, things could be a challenge for him at school leaving him feeling unsure.
Lots of hugs and reasurance helps. The doctor will help with more ideas. Have a good week.K

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W.L.

answers from Seattle on

My 4 and a half year old pees himself when he laughs to hard. Kind of like me being pregnant when I sneeze.....lol. His doc actually is sending us to a pediatric urologist just to be sure his muscle development is ok in his bladder. I thought it was just kind of normal since he's only been potty trained for a little over a year. He does still wear diapers for naps and at night as well. We are waiting on our insurance to see where we have to go. I wish I could be of better help but I just thought I would let you know that there are others of us out there.
W.

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E.L.

answers from Seattle on

A 7 year old should not have "leakage". There are medical problems that he probably has. Get him to the doctor asap to end his embarrassment, poor guy!

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J.M.

answers from Seattle on

My sister's step-son did that for the first year that they were together, and sometimes still does occationally (he was 7, now 9) I know that she was constantly reminding him to go to the bathroom - which can be frustrating. He finaly stopped doing it a lot when he got embarrassed about it in front of other kids, and wasn't allowed to go to sleepovers because of the problem. He might have just grown out of it, and gotten used to his new situation. He also had allergy testing done and stopped eating processes sugars.

does he get a lot of attention for doing it? that might reinforce it. I would definately talk to the doctor about it too, because it could be a pysiological issue like you are thinking.

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J.A.

answers from Seattle on

Check with the doctor to rule out any physical reasons first, but it sounds more like emotional reasons reading your post.

Our granddaughter had been totally "housebroke", nights and days (on her own) by 3, then a change in circumstances at age 5 at home, caused a restart of day time and night time accidents. She got a new stepmom, and was given a room all to herself, along with moving to a new house. Too much for her mind to handle all at once. Even though she knew and loved her new stepmom, with the move to a new house, with a room all alone, it was too much stress. Mom and dad kept sending her to the bathroom, or trying discipline, but finally realized it wasn't something she could control. With some counseling for them and her, they decided to just let her be, kept reassuring her that she was doing fine, and would overlook any accidents as "just part of the daily routine", so it didn't make her think she should be "ashamed", etc. She would run in and change if she had an accident, but nothing was said or nothing made of it, and she went back about her business after changing. Within a few short months, things were back to no more problems.

If your son is having accidents at school, make sure he has pants that won't allow others to know, and assure him, he's definitely not alone. This is a very common thing for children.

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S.B.

answers from Seattle on

I echo the sentiment of taking him to a doctor to rule out infection, etc. If it seems he's got weak muscles, you might try having him drink through a krazy straw (one with the loops or bends in it) as that particular action helps stimulate the muscles to activate...I'm not sure of the science behind it, but I know it worked on my friends' 3 boys for getting over the wet beds at night and on my 2 boys (not sure about my girl).
Best to you!

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L.E.

answers from Seattle on

My son had the same problem and i took him to a chiropractor. His pelvis was rotated and after I think three adjustments he was as good as new. Once in a while for the first few months he would have a bit of an "accident" after playing too hard at home and school and I would take him in. Again, no problems. Now he is 13 and he has not had any problems with this whatsoever since he was about 8. It turned out to be a very common thing for active boys that was resolved very easily. Hope this helps him.

Warmly,
L. E.

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C.L.

answers from Seattle on

I tried everything holistic then we went to her pediatrician to no avail. I overheard two moms in a class discussing thier success with beddwetting and chiropractic care. I made an appointment the next day and took her in for an evaluation and then an adjustment. Our problem ceased after a couple of visits! My daughter was nine at the time. I don't know anyone who specializes in childrens needs but I go to Rupa Dara DC on Sylvan Way and know she also treats kids. Good luck!

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J.A.

answers from Portland on

I wouldn't try to many herbal remedies, he could be alleregic to one of them and cause a bigger problem that what you have. Instead of trying to handle this at home I think you should consault a doctor. He could have a kidney or a bladder problem. If he is 7 years old and has aniexty issues he needs to see a shrink, thats not normal at all and if his school is causing him that much stress and you that much concern you may want to try a different school or home school.

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

I would definitely start with the doc and rule out medical causes for the wetting. I am not a doc but since you describe it as leakage it sounds like it could be a medical issue. Once that is ruled out herbal remedies and emotional causes could be explored.

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P.H.

answers from Richland on

You might need to ask the doctor to check his kidneys.

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M.B.

answers from Portland on

You should make sure to stop ALL eating and drinking at least an hour to two hours before bed time, and get up in the middle of the night to take him to the restroom. That seems to help with my stepson, who is 10, and has some of the same troubles. Maybe he needs to start seeing a counselor in/out os school to help with the day-time accidents.

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